Bangladesh Bank Buys $3.13bn in Dollars in Six Months

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Bangladesh Bank has purchased an additional $89 million from commercial banks through auction, taking its total dollar purchases to $3.13 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year, as part of efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market.

The latest purchase was made from seven commercial banks at a rate of Tk 122.30 per dollar on Monday, according to central bank officials.

Bangladesh Bank began buying dollars through auctions in July after adopting a market-based exchange rate system. Under this framework, the central bank intervenes to smooth volatility—allowing the dollar to weaken when supply is ample and permitting prices to rise when demand increases.

Bankers say dollar demand has eased in recent months due to several factors. Government foreign payment obligations have declined, while slower business activity and weaker private investment have reduced imports, particularly of capital machinery.

Officials believe these trends have helped ease pressure on the foreign exchange market, allowing the central bank to rebuild reserves through measured interventions.